In response to the publication of the Manual for Cancer Services (2004) a number of clinical sub-groups were established across the Network to address services for specific types of cancer.

 Network site specific groups have collective responsibility, delegated by the Network Executive Board, for the coordination and consistency across the Network for cancer policy, practice guidelines, audit, research and service improvement for each type of cancer.These groups are multidisciplinary, with representation from professionals across the patient care pathway as well as involvement and representation from patient and carers.

Network Site Specific groups have been established to:

•  Act as the Network Executive Board’s primary source of tumour site specific clinical opinion for the network
• Advise and consult on service planning to ensure services are in line with national guidance in order to promote high quality care and reduce inequalities in service delivery
• Ensure Network decisions become integrated into local practice
• Monitor progress on meeting National Cancer Standards and ensure action plans agreed following Peer Review are implemented
• Promote links between teams and other relevant Network groups

The key objectives of Network Site Specific Groups are to:

• Establish common referral and clinical guidelines for the Network
• Agree a tumour site specific minimum data set and support consistent data collection across the Network
• Engage in service improvement by using appropriate redesign tools and techniques via process mapping, capacity and demand measurement and redesign
• Agree and support an annual audit programme both at regional and local level
• Agree a common approach to research & development working with the Network research team, participating in nationally recognised studies whenever possible
• Consult with cross-cutting groups on issues involving chemotherapy, cancer imaging, histopathology and laboratory investigation and specialist palliative care
• Identify emerging new cancer drug treatments and technologies which require appraisal by commissioners through the Peninsula Health Technology Appraisal process
• To support the development of education and training programmes for teams
• Support effective patient and carer involvement in service planning and delivery
• Produce an annual work plan
• There are currently 13 Network Site Specific Groups in the Peninsula Cancer Network. Further information can be viewed by clicking the links on the left